Overview

The KIOXIA EXCERIA 960GB SATA SSD is a reliable internal solid-state drive designed to breathe new life into older systems. With sequential read speeds up to 555MB/s and write speeds up to 540MB/s over SATA 3.0, it provides a massive performance boost over traditional mechanical hard drives. This 2.5-inch, 7mm-thick drive fits into most laptops, desktops, and even the PlayStation 4 as a direct replacement. It features KIOXIA's own BiCS FLASH TLC NAND and comes with a 3-year warranty, making it a solid choice for users seeking a cost-effective yet trustworthy storage upgrade.

Compatibility Guide

The EXCERIA 960GB SATA SSD connects via the standard SATA 6Gbps interface, ensuring broad compatibility with virtually any desktop or notebook PC that has a SATA port. Its 2.5-inch form factor and 7mm height allow it to fit into standard 2.5-inch drive bays; for desktop 3.5-inch bays, a mounting bracket (not included) may be required. The drive is officially tested and compatible with PlayStation 4 consoles (excluding the very first CUH-1000/1100 series), enabling a straightforward storage capacity increase for gaming. Note that KIOXIA does not guarantee operation when the drive is used inside an external enclosure.

Product Info

The KIOXIA EXCERIA 960GB (model SSD-CK960S/N) is an entry-to-mid-range SATA SSD released around 2021. It packs a Phison S11 controller paired with KIOXIA's own 64-layer BiCS FLASH TLC NAND in a DRAM-less configuration. Performance reaches near the SATA 3.0 ceiling, making it well-suited for everyday computing, web browsing, office work, and light gaming. The product is positioned as an affordable and dependable upgrade path from HDDs. It is backed by a 3-year manufacturer warranty and supports KIOXIA's SSD Utility software for drive health monitoring and firmware updates.

Best Use Cases

  • First-time SSD upgrade from HDD: Users still on mechanical drives will see dramatic improvements in boot times, application launches, and overall system responsiveness. Installation is straightforward — just swap the drive and clone or reinstall the OS. - PlayStation 4 storage expansion: Replacing the internal PS4 HDD with this SSD reduces game load times noticeably. This is a proven, hassle-free upgrade for console gamers. - Budget-conscious reliability seekers: With BiCS FLASH TLC, this drive offers better endurance than QLC alternatives. Combined with a 3-year warranty, it delivers peace of mind without a premium price tag.

Things to Consider

Being a SATA SSD, its performance is significantly lower than NVMe drives that can reach 3500MB/s or more. If your motherboard has a free M.2 NVMe slot, an NVMe SSD would provide a much faster experience for demanding tasks. The DRAM-less design may lead to slower write speeds in sustained heavy workloads, though for typical desktop use and gaming this is rarely noticeable. The 960GB capacity is adequate for an OS plus a handful of large games, but heavy gamers or content creators might prefer a 1TB+ model. Also, ensure your system has a physical 2.5-inch bay or appropriate mounting bracket before purchase.

Product Disclosure (Amazon)

  • Manufacturer: KIOXIA
  • Seller: プロジェクトエム 【インボイス対応事業者】業歴14年 安心の国内法人運営ストア 適確請求書発行事業者
  • Fulfilled by: Amazon
  • ASIN: B08B3D7PDJ
  • Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.